Machine for shaping shoe end portions



Get. 18, 1949. M. L. DODGE 2,484,876

MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE END PORTIONS Filed May 21, 1946 Sheets-Sheet l @ct. 18, 3949. M. L. DODGE MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE END PORTIONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2%, 1946 M. L. DODGE MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE END PORTIONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 18, 1949.

Filed May 21, 1946 Oct. 18, 1949. M. L. bones MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE END PORTIONS Filed Sla 21, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 18, 1949 MACHINE FOR SHAPING SHOE END PORTION S Milton L. Dodge, Newburyport, Mass.

Application May 21, 1946, Serial No. 671,232

'7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a machine for shaping and/or uniting the counter or toe portions, or both, of shoes, and, if desired, where a counter stiffener or box toe is used either before or after the insertion of the stifiener, or both before and after. While not restricted thereto, it is particularly suitable for use in connection with the manufacture of slip lasted, such as platform, shoes to which counter stiffeners or box toes, or both, have been or are to be applied.

One object of the present invention is to provide improved means for conforming one or both end portions of a shoe to the contour of suitable forms.

Still another object is to provide means for pressing the shoe at and adjacent to the counter and/or toe portion in a continuous manner so that no marking on the shoe is produced during the shaping operation.

Still another object is to provide means for properly shaping the toe portion or the heel portion, or both, while avoiding the necessity of providing substantial lasting allowance, either on the shoe upper, or on the platform cover of a platform type shoe.

A further object is to form and shape the toe or heel extremities, or both, where a platform cover is employed, and where pre-molded toe stiffeners or counters. or both, are used.

It is also an object to form one or both of these extremities after one or the other, or both, while in a more or less flat condition have had applied thereto a flat stiffener which can be shaped while in softened condition, the stiffener being, for example, of the thermoplastic or liquid soluble type. This shaping conditions the shoe upper for ready attachment to the upper of the platform cover and the innersole.

It is also an object of the invention to stretch a sheet of stretchable material about a form shaped to the contour of an end portion of a last, and with a shoe upper positioned between them, thereby wiping the upper portion around and conforming it to the contour of the form in both horizontal and vertical planes.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the top portion of a machine embodying the invention, the pressing mechanism being open in condition to receive the counter portion of a shoe.

Figures 2 and 3 are side elevation and top plan views, respectively, of the same.

Figure 4 is a sectional View on line 44 of Figure 5 showing a shoe in pressing position in the machine.

Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views on lines 5-5 and 66, respectively, of Figure 4, section line 5-5 also appearing on Figure 6.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary lateral sectional view through the counter portion of a shoe and pressing form or last showing the counter stiffener in position ready for pressing.

Figure 7a is a fragmentary lateral sectional view through the counter portion of the upper and platform cover of a platform shoe on a modified pressing form ready for the pressing and forming operation preparatory to inserting the counter stiffener.

Figures 8 and 9 are lateral sectional views through the counter portions of platform shoes on a last or form and showing lasting allowances where the method of this invention is not employed.

Figure 10 is an exploded perspective View showing one method of inserting a counter stiffener in a platform shoe.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective View of the counter portion of a platform shoe prepared in another manner to receive a counter stiffener.

Figures 12 and 13 are longitudinal sectional views, Figure 13 being fragmentary, showing successive steps in the application of a counter stiffener to a platform shoe in accordance with a different method.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary top plan view similar to a portion of Figure 3, but showing a modified machine construction.

Figure 15 is a sectional view on line l5-l5 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary inverted plan view of the toe portion of a shoe upper having a toe stiffener in flat, flexible or plasticized condition applied thereto.

Figure 17 is a detail sectional view on line l'|ll of Figure 16.

Figures 18 and 19 are fragmentary longitudinal sectional views through the toe portion of the shoe on a form and a toe shaping mechanism, showing successive stages in the toe molding or shaping operation.

Figure 20 is a detail sectional view on line 20-2ll of Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a cross sectional view through the toe portion of a shoe after the pressing operation and showing the platform cover and innersole stitched thereto.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, there is disclosed a machine having an upright standard I provided with a pair of laterally spaced bearing portions 2 to which are pivoted on the fulcrum pins 3, a pair of arms 4. To the upper ends of these arms 4 are attached the side presser members which are moved from and toward each other by swinging the arms 4. The lower ends of these arms beneath the fulcrum pins 3 have pivoted thereto pairs of links 4a which are joined together by the central pivot 5 to which is also pivoted a downwardly extended rod 1 slidably guided vertically through a forwardly extended portion 8 of the frame I.

Between the arms 4, toward the upper portion of the machine, the frame I is provided with a forwardly extending platform E5 on which is slidably mounted a carriage l6. This carriage l6 has fixed thereto a heatable form I! shaped to the desired contour of the counter portion of a shoe. It might be a last where it is not desired to heat it. While this form may be of any desired type, it may well be laterally adjustable to provide for receiving shoes of various sizes, and it may be made in accordance with the showing of my patent application Serial No. 540,209 filed June 14, 1944, for Shoe supporting form which matured as Patent No. 2,463,160 issued on March 1, 1949. This form may be provided With a socket 38 for the reception of an electric heating unit 19 shown in Figure 6. Where a laterally adjustable form is used as shown in my application for patent, to which reference has been made, a screw 20, by manipulation of which the lateral adjustment may be effected, may be used.

The heel end of this form faces the back portion of the machine and it may be moved forwardly from between the elements 5 into the position shown in Figure 2 in which position a shoe may be placed thereover, or it may be moved backwardly in between the elements 5 for the pressing operation. For the purpose of producing this motion the carriage l6 may be connected through a pair of links 2! to the upper end of a lever 22. This lever is fulcrumed at 23 to a bracket extension 24 at the rear of the frame I and its lower inwardly inclined end portion 25 may be provided with a cross pin 25 which rides in a slot 21 in the rearward extremity of an actuating lever 28. This lever 28 is fulcrumed at 29 on a downward extension 30 of the frame l and extends forwardly, and its forward end is provided with a hand grip portion 3!. By rocking this lever 28, it is evident that the arms 22 will be rocked, and through the link connection 21, the form will be moved transversely of the elements 5 between its forward position shown in Figure 2 and a rearward position between the elements 5. This lever 28 is also connected to the rod 1, this connection, as shown, being through a link 33 pivoted to the lever 28 and having a pin 34 riding in a slot 35 through the rod 1.

The parts are so arranged that beginning with the upward position of the lever shown in Figure 2, downward pressure on its handle portion 3! first moves the carriage I6 and the form I! between the members 5, and further motion after the pin 35 has reached the lower end of the slot 34 causes the arms 4 to swing and bring the elements 5 toward each other. Motion of the handle upwardly will first release the pressure exerted by the elements 5 so that they may be opened by the action of a spring 36 (see Figure 1) connecting the lower portions of the arms 4, and further motion of the lever 28 thereupon moves the form from between the elements 5 into position to receive a shoe.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, at 40 is shown a strip or band of stretchable material, such as rubber, the forward ends of which are secured against the forward walls of the elements 5 as by means of a pair of clamping bars 4| positioned outwardly thereof and suitably held to the elements 5 as by screws 42. The intermediate portion of the strip or band 40 is formed as a loop which extends between the elements 5, so that when a shoe on the form is moved rearwardly into pressing position between the elements 5, it engages within the loop and stretches it rearwardly, this effecting a continuous smooth wiping pressure against the outer face of the shoe around its heel end and forwardly thereof, and as the elements 5 are moved inwardly toward each other, this band 40 is brought against the side walls of the shoe at the counter portion also.

In order that an even pressure may be exerted by the elements 5 on the shoe, each of these elements may be provided with a lining comprising a relatively thick layer of sponge rubber 45 which may impinge directly upon the outer face of the band or strip 40. This layer of sponge rubber may be applied to a backing strip 46 of suitable material such as leather, and the upper portions of both may extend over the sole face of the. shoe, which, as shown in Figure 5, is applied in inverted position over the form l1. It will be noted that the band 40 is of a width suflicient to extend substantially completely across the height of the counter portion of the shoe and also to extend substantially beyond the sole face of the shoe carried by the form. Thus as the strip is first stretched about the heel end of the shoe, and the Ipresser elements 5 are then brought inwardly, the band is not only conformed lengthwise to the contour of the form, but is also brought inwardly \over the sole portion and conforms the shoe to the sole face of the form, this being shown in Figure 5. In order that the desired amount of pressure may be exerted against the sole face, pressure regulating plates 48 may be secured to the top faces of the elements 5. They may be secured thereto by the screw and slot connections at 49, and the extent of pressure may be regulated by adjusting set screws 49a threaded through the plates 45 and bearing at their inner ends against the top faces of the elements 5. By adjustment of these set screws 49a, the plates 45 may be angularly adjusted to bring their inner edges down with the desired pressure components as the arms 5 are brought into closed position. Cooperating with these plates 45 there is shown a central heel presser plate 50 formed as an angle bracket and adjustable by means of a screw 5| extending through a slot 52 in its upwardly directed flange and threaded into a bar 53 seated in a sleeve portion 54 at the upper end of the frame member I.

In place of the inward extensions of the presser elements 5, and the presser plates 48, a pair of wipers 50 may be employed as shown in Figures 14 and 15. These wipers may be pivoted together on a'central pivot 6| carried by an angle bracket 52 vertically adjustable on the bar 53, and the forward ends of these wipers may be contacted by cam lug 63 projecting outwardly from the forward faces of the side presser elements 5a, so that as these presser elements 5a are moved inwardly, the wipers are caused to be closed to- Ward each other over the sole face of the shoe.

As previously mentioned, this machine is particularly suitable for treating shoes of the slip lasted type such as the platform shoes now commonly employed and wherein a counter stiffener has been inserted. It may, however, be used to advantage in the manufacture of bed lasted shoes, particularly with upper materials difficult to properly shape by bed lasting. There are Various methods by which a pre-molded counter stiffener may be inserted in shoes so made. One method of so inserting the stiffener is illustrated in Figure wherein th lower edge portion H!) of a lining III is left unattached. The lower edge of the lining may then be pulled outwardly, as shown in this figure, the molded counter I I3, preferably provided with adhesive on its faces, is inserted in position in the shoe, and the lining is then tucked in against the inner face of the counter stiffener ready for the pressing operation. While the form is heated sufficient to activate the cement, provided a thermo-activated cement is used, the pressing operation is performed thereon, so that the counter stifiener will be secured in position at the same time that the counter portion of the shoe is correctly shaped by the machine.

Another method is shown in Figure 11 in which the innersole Hill is secured to the shoe outer HH back only as far as the counter portion and back of this point it is secured to the lower edge of a counter lining element Iilfla, being free from the outer H3! and the platform cover I02 around the heel end of the shoe. This provides a space between the counter lining and the outer open from beneath into which the molded counter stiffener (not shown) may be inserted with its counter attaching flanges overlying the heel end of the innersole portion which is attached to the counter lining.

Another method is illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 where the innersole Hill is stitched to the shoe outer H31 and a platform cover strip I 02 around the forepart and back to the counter portion of the shoe, and is left free back of this point so that it may be brought forwardly within the shoe as shown in Figure 12m If desired, a rearward heel element In? which terminates slightly forwardly of the free end portion of the innersole may be used, this heel member I03, or a continuous sole reinforcing layer, being stitched to the shoe outer and the platform cover strip around the heel end of the shoe. A molded counter stiffener EM, preferably with a heel pad I05 secured to its attaching flange H365, may then be inserted in position within the shoe, and the rear unattached portion of the innersole I08 may be laid back therein and cemented in position as shown in Figure 13.

By whatever method the counter stiffener is inserted, the pressing operation in accordance with this invention, is of particular utility because of the presence of the platform cover. This cover is a continuous strip extending around the heel portion of the shoe, but as its edge is attached to the upper, the attached margin of which is not inherently of the proper shape to conform to the adjacent portion of the counter stiffener the cover margin also will not conform without special treatment. The stitching of the cover strip to the upper also acts to distort and stretch the parts. The pressing operation of this machine acts to conform the platform cover and upper, adjacent to the securement, to the desired contour so that the parts are properly shaped to lie against the adjacent parts of a pre-molded stiffener when such a stiffener is employed, and to secure the adjacent parts to the stiffener, thereby holding the parts in proper shaped condition. This avoids any necessity for pulling the upper margins over the heel seat margin, and the necessity of allowing sufficient lasting allowance to permit this pulling operation to be performed by the usual pulling instruments. This is illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, inclusive. Referring to Figure '7, it will be noted that the cover strip I02 and the adjacent portion of the outer I0 I, when the shoe is applied to the form, tend to stand outwardly of the margin of the side face of the form or of a last, should the shoe be applied to a last, and away from the side of the counter stiffener where it is desirable that they be in close contact. Without the pressing action of this machine it is necessary to add a lasting allowance either to the outer, as shown in Figure 8, or to the platform cover as shown in Figure 9, in order to provide material which may be grasped and pulled to seat the lower portion of the outer against the stiffener. Whether it be desired to draw these parts against the sole face or only to the lower edge of the side wall, using a closer cut outer, this is automatically taken care of by the method and apparatus of this invention, and the later application of the platform, pressing edgewise on the outer, will be ineffective to wrinkle it, which heretofore has been liable to occur.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the molded counter stiffener, particularly when the upper is of material difiicult to mold with the stiffener in one operation, the upper and the platform cover may be molded before insertion of the stiffener so that they will be shaped to receive the stiffener. This is shown in Figure 7a where the lining is allowed to extend into a recess flu in the molding form Ila, which is substituted in the machine for the form l1, while the margins of the upper and platform cover stand up around the form. The subsequent pressing operation, including that produced by the side pressing members 5, conform these margins to the side and somewhat over the sole face of the form to the general shape of the corresponding portion of the counter stiffener which may thereafter be easily applied. If desired, the counter portion, including the stiffener, may again be pressed as on the form H, to cause uniform adhesion of the stiffener in position.

In Figures 16 to 21 the molding operation as applied to the toe portion of the shoe has been illustrated, and wherein the stiffener is shown as being applied to the upper while in substantially flat condition. The toe stiffener I25 is applied to the forward portion of the upper I0! and at least temporarily secured thereto in any suitable manner as by cement, or the like. At this time the upper has not been secured to the innersole and is not properly shaped to be so secured, nor is it in condition for the attachment thereto of the platform cover. The forming operation with the parts in this condition serves to shape or mold the toe portion of the upper to a condition where it may be properly secured around its margin to the flexible innersole and to the platform cover. For the forming operation the upper in this condition is placed over a toe form I26 which is substituted for the heel form I! shown in Figures 1 to 9, being mounted upon the carriage Hi. It may be heated as by the electric heating element I21 in the outer form if the stiffener is one which requires heat either to soften or harden it. No side presser forms are employed, but in place thereof, a single outer form. element [30: secured rigidly to the platform I is employed. This element ltd is hollowed. out on it forward face. A. support l-3'2 carried by and abovethe element. its may support the stretchable band lt'fi whi-ch extends above-the top face of the member it'll and above the sole face I36 of the inside form i lEhe parts are: so arranged thatwhen the inside form lZli carrying; the shoe upper with the stfi fener iii-5,. is moved rearwardly into the hollow of the form H38; the flexible. band L iscaused engage and be stretched about the upper,, and t is, when the stiffener |=25 is in moldablecondition, causes this stiffener and the upper to be con-formed to the outer face of the adjacent portion of the inner form I26, the band I35 acting to spread the pressure over the end, top and side faces of the shoe upper and to press the shoe upper over the entire area which is reinforced by the stiffener against and in conformity to the contour of the inner form L25. It will be noted that. the stretchable band 835 extends above the sole face of the inner form and thisv extended portion may then be turned in over the sole face as by a pair of wipers Hill pivotedtogether at their central portions on a pivot [M which is secured to the fixed outer form list. The outer side edges of the wipers l ill. are contacted by adjustable abutment screws Hi5. which are carried by the upper ends of the side arms l, in place of the outer pressing elements 5 shown in Figures. 1 to 5,, inclusive. This. completes the wrapping engagement of the stretchable band around the toe portion or forepart of the inside form 126 so that the upper and stiffener are properly conformed thereto and in such condition that after the shoe has been removed from. the form I26, the margins of the upper and stiffener at the toe portion may be secured to the flexible innersole Hitand the edge portion of the platform cover 582,. as shown in Figure 21. The parts are now in condition for the lip lasting operation and the further usual operations incident to the manufacture. of the platform shoe.

It will be noted that where a fiat stiffener is first employed, the molding operation is accomplished inorder to properly shape the upper and the stiffener for the attachment thereto of the innersole preparatory to slip lasting, and if a pla form shoe is to be made, for the attachment of the platform cover, but that when this operation is employed with a pro-molded. stiffener, as shown for the heel end of the shoe in Figures 1 to 15, the pressing operation is performed after the. platform cover has been attached, and usually after at least a portion of the innersole has been secured to the outer. While as shown herein, av molded counter stiffener and an unmolded toe stiffener are hown. as applied to the shoe upper, a flat counter stiffener or a molded toe stiffener might be used, if desired. Where a flat counter stiffener is employed, the molding operation would condition and shape the upper and stiffener for the attachment thereto of the platform cover and the innersole, and where a pre-molded toe stiffener is employed the platform cover, and usually, also, the innersole, would have been secored to the upper before the molding operation.

8 an end portionof; a shoe upper in luding a moldablie: stiffener, an elastic; band, and means for transversely stretching said elastic band about. the end, and sides of said portion, to conform said shoe portion to. the; contour of said form.

2; A machine of the class described, com-prising an, inner formfor receivin and supporting, an end. portion of ashoe upper, anouter form shaped to shoe con-tour, a stretchable band supported by said. outerform and into which said inner form with a. shoe may be pressed to stretch said band, and wipe along the surface of said shoe upper, and means for closing said outer form against, said stretchablev band, shoe, and inner form.

3. A machine of the class described, comprisingspaced forming elements shaped to shoe contour and between which an. end. portion of a shoe may be placed, one of said elements being an inside shoe form over which the shoe end. portion. may be placed, a stretchable band carried by certain of said elements for engaging with the outside. of. said. shoev upper portion, and means for relatively moving said elements and band to stretch. said band around said end portion and along the sides of said inside shoe form to conend portion may be placed, a stretchable band carried by certain of said elements for engaging with the outside of said shoe upper portion, means for relatively moving said elements and band to stretch said band around said end portion and along the sides of said inside shoe form to conform said upper end portions and stiffener to the corresponding portions of said inside form, said band extending beyond said sole face, and means for wiping in said band extension over said sole face while said upper is being conformed.

5. A machine of the class described, comprising a pair of spaced elements movable laterally from and toward each other and between which the heel portion of a shoe may be positioned, a strip of stretchable material having a looped intermediate portion extending rearwardly between said elements in position to engage around the heel end of a shoe positioned between said elements and having its forward end portions secured to the forward edges of said elements, means for relatively moving the shoe and said strip lengthwise of the shoe to cause said strip to be stretched around and against the counter portion of the shoe or to be released therefrom, and means for moving said elements from and toward each other laterally of the shoe in time with the stretching of said strip to close against or open from the sides of said shoe.

6. A machine of the class described, comprising a pair of spaced elements movable laterally from and toward each other and between which the heel portion of a shoe may be positioned, a strip of stretchable material having a looped intermediate portion extending rearwardly between said elements in position to engage around the heel end of a shoe positioned between said elements and having its forward end portions secured tothe forward edges of said elements, means for relatively moving the shoe and said strip to cause: said. strip to be stretched. around.

and against the counter portion of the shoe or to be released therefrom, and means for moving said elements from and toward each other in time with the stretching of said strip to close against or open from the sides of said shoe, said elements having cushion faces engageable with the outer face of said strip.

7. A machine of the class described, comprising a pair of spaced presser elements shaped to the general contour of the sides and a portion of the rear end of a shoe and having an extension arranged to extend inwardly across the sole portion of the shoe, means supporting said elements for motion toward and from each other to clamp and release the heel portion of a shoe positioned therebetween, a strip of stretchable material having its forward ends secured to the forward edges of said elements and an intermediate portion looped rearwardly between said elements, said strip being of a width to engage substantially the full height of said counter portion and to extend beyond the sole face of said shoe to be engaged by said presser element extensions, means for moving said shoe and elements relatively in directions to press said shoe into said loop or out therefrom, and means for relatively moving said shoe and elements to press or release the shoe therebetween.

MILTON L. DODGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 181,772 Copeland Sept. 5, 1876 254,617 Copeland Mar. 7, 1882 588,568 Grandy Aug. 24, 1897 595,809 Grandy Dec. 21, 1897 1,108,101 Brock Aug. 18, 1914 1,131,873 Straus Mar. 16, 1915 1,495,602 Leroy May 27, 1924 1,667,936 Jorgensen May 1, 1928 1,774,963 Collins Sept. 2, 1930 2,271,682 Dodge Feb. 3, 1942 2,301,785 Marx Nov. 10, 1942 2,342,154 MacDonald Feb. 22, 1944 2,406,738 Brophy Sept. 3, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 278,696 Germany Oct. 2, 1914 

